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Chloroquine making a comeback in combatting malaria

16 October 2012

MCDC PhD Student Magatte Ndiaye has published results of his study 'Assessment of the Molecular Marker of Plasmodium falciparum Chloroquine Resistance (Pfcrt) in Senegal after Several Years of Chloroquine Withdrawal'.

For many years Chloroquine was the malaria drug treatment of choice recommended by most African health authorities. However, parasite resistance to the drug over time meant that it was no longer effective. As a result, Ministries of Health began recommending other alternatives such as the now used Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACTs).

A malaria drug-monitoring study carried out by Magatte and colleagues at the University of Copenhagen has now shown that the previously effective drug Chloroquine is once again beginning to work against malaria.